THE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2018/30 Character Appraisal J–uly january 2018 2019

presented by cofton hackett parish council

Contents Introduction

Section Page introduction 3 Cofton Hackett has a rich diversity of hilly land comprising of, part of the beautiful Hills 1. cofton church lane to cofton richards 5 Country Park known as ‘The Lickeys’, agricultural and pastoral land, Cofton Lake and a very small part of the Upper Bittell Lake for yachting and fishing. The majority of Cofton Hackett, 2. the stocken, cofton church lane & road 11 with its flora and fauna, lies within the Green Belt which is of paramount importance to the 3. groveley lane from ten ashes lane 17 community. Pre-war and new housing estates, shops and light industry are prominent but the 4. groveley lane from island to ten ashes lane 21 area retains its rural character. The source of the River Arrow is in the and flows adjacent to the lower end of Rose 5. ten ashes lane 23 Hill, under Rednal Island, through privately owned woods, continuing on at the bottom of Ten 6. cofton fields estate 25 Ashes Lane past houses and gardens. It runs on into Cofton Lake with overflow into what has 7. lickey road 27 become an untended naturalised piece of land with a large pond, from there water proceeds through Cofton Fields estate into a spacious open landscaped area for residents’ enjoyment 8. rose hill 33 and play area for children. Water from the Arrow is also a feeder for the canal system and a 9. eachway lane 35 tributary to the River Avon. 10. warren lane 35 Cofton Hackett has an extensive and fascinating history having mention in historic documents 11. kendal end road & kendal drive 39 dating back to 780 AD. Coftune (Costune) as known at that time has connections with King Offa. 12. groveley lane industrial estate 43 As seen: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/cofton-Hackett, the spelling for Cofton Hackett and 13. cofton common 45 history evolved over time. (Our neighbours in Lickey also have a shared history of names dating a millennial’s open letter 48 from 1255: La Lecheye, La Lekeheye, Lechay, Lekhaye.) There is mention of three manors, Coston Richards known as Cofton Richards, Groveley and Cofton Hall with only the latter still in existence. See: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/worcs/vol3/pp54-57 Between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries nail making was prevalent in the area, including Cofton. The Austin Motor Company, or ‘The Orstin’ as previously known, was founded in 1905 and provided much employment in the area for decades. Austin’s played a major part in both World Wars providing much needed aircraft built during WWII in the ‘Aero’ factory at East Works. Also manufactured were military vehicles to support the war effort. Motor manufacturing ndp steering group changed its form many times and of course Cofton Hackett is most proud of the assembly Councillors Nick Forknell/Chair, Keith Duncan, Jill Harvey, Janet King and Roger Westbury. of engines and gearboxes for the BMC Mini which was revolutionary for its time. The factory Margaret Hanrahan/Treasurer, Lisa Winterbourn/Secretary and Stuart Howe. closed in 2005 providing a ‘Brownfield’ site which is now in the process of redevelopment for Contributors – Robert Black, Wendy Carroll and Sukhy Hogwood. housing and provision for a community facility.

cofton hackett character appraisal acknowledgements See: www.austinmemories.com Text/Photography by Cllr. Roger Westbury/CHPC Chairman, Cllr. Keith Duncan Cofton Hackett can be seen as successful in regenerating itself in various forms over the and Cllr. Mike Pattison, Elisabeth Duncan, Charles Hooper and Garry Turland. centuries despite dramatic changes. Maps by Claire Holmes/ Council. Design and additional photography by Keith Woolford/Arch Media. keith and elisabeth duncan copyright ©2019 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal All material published in this document is copyright and may not be reproduced Cofton Hackett Parish Council in any form without the written consent of the Cofton Hackett Parish Council. January 2019

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1. Cofton Church Lane to Cofton Richards

Cofton Church Lane left of the Stocken to Cofton Richards Farm Well established hedgerows border both sides of this Lane.

Cofton Church Lane to Cofton Richards

4 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 5 Cofton Hall Entrance (1), Cofton Hall and Woods (3) Cofton Hall Farm (2) including farm buildings (5) A small well established area of mature trees either side of the driveway with sandstone pillars near This is no longer a working farm and is now a private dwelling. The farm with its buildings and the road can be seen from Cofton Church Lane with the historic Cofton Hall beyond. ‘Cornerstone’, surrounding fields border the railway track to the south. often still referred to as Cofton Hall, with its late fourteenth century hammer beamed roof, has cellars The modern farmhouse is identified as no 6. which are hewn out of extending beyond the building, some of which are blocked off. The cellars are believed to date back to the original hall and are most likely to be the foundations of the hall recorded in 1086 in The . Only the Great Hall survived a fire in The . The Barns (4) Charles I stayed at Cofton Hall on 14 May, 1645 on his way to . A collection of mid eighteenth century converted farm and out buildings, listed as ‘Barn, Stables and Cow House’, are now used as dwellings and for parking. The buildings are set back from the road in a U shape with gardens to the front and rear. Linked to the end of the barns and facing the road is a small late Georgian brick built house. See: Grade II Listed Buildings in : https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk// cofton-hackett-bromsgrove-worcestershire#.WzXozi2ZMUE

Entrance to Cofton Hall, Cofton Church Lane Barn Conversions, Cofton Church Lane

The residential building abuts the Great Hall and is mainly Georgian, the frontage of which faces the Millstone Cottage – a modern farmhouse (6) railway line.

Cofton Hall – cottage and garden (7) Built of brick in the 1900s, originally this was most likely a farm cottage.

Cofton Hall, Cofton Church Lane Cofton Hall Cottage, Cofton Church Lane

6 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 7 Opposite Cofton Hall Cottage (8) Here is the start of a small wood which extends north alongside the public footpath at the bottom of the field and runs to the turn in the path before the path turns west towards the top of the Stocken.

Cross, Cofton Church

Opposite the church entrance there are stone remains of a *Grade II Listed Footpath from Cofton Church Lane to the Stocken Churchyard Cross. The woods extend along Cofton Church Lane up to the stables. There are some interesting old graves including chest tombs surrounded by iron Cofton Church, St Michael’s and All Angels (10) railings one of which is the This small locally cherished *Grade II Listed sandstone church dates from the fourteenth Century *Grade II Listed ‘Green and was renovated in 1861. Memorial and Railings’. The eastern exit from the churchyard leads to Cofton ‘Green Memorial and Railings’ chest tomb, Cofton Church Church Lane down a set of ancient worn sandstone steps with a handrail. The railway bridge is relatively near the steps. Descriptions of these three listed buildings can be found under: Grade II Listed buildings in Worcestershire: www.britishlistedbuildings. co.uk all under reference 119, the last two by scrolling down from St. Michael’s Church. (The Barns are also included here).

Cofton Church, St Michaels and All Angels Steps from Cofton Churchyard to Cofton Church Lane

8 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 9 T h e S t o c k e n , v ie w s fr om th e N or th W Cofton Church Lane to Bridge orcs Footpath Travelling further past the Church on the opposite side of the road This is the boundary of the new housing development, to be completed by 2020, on the site of the MG-Rover Motor Company and is bounded to the east by the Railway bridge. Travelling under the bridge to the north east are the fields of Cofton Richards Farm. 2. The Stocken, Cofton Cofton Richards Farm (11) A brick built farm building, approximately 1930/40s, is no longer a working farm, can be found at the Church Lane & top of small incline. A farm building has been on this site since the twelfth century. The developer St Modwen now own the house and land. Barnt Green Road There is beautiful rolling countryside on the right before the fork in the lane to the Yachting Club. These fields are believed to be part owned by The National Trust and are a valuable asset to Cofton Hackett and Barnt Green. (From Cofton Church Lane —charles hooper and garry turland to Groveley Lane)

The Stocken, also known as the Stocking, is a public bridleway running from Chestnut Drive to Cofton Church Lane. As such it is an important link between the north and south of Cofton Hackett and provides residents of the Porritt estate with easy access to the North Worcestershire Path, which crosses The Stocken, to Upper Bittell reservoir, home to Barnt Green Sailing Club, and to footpaths from Cofton Church Lane to the neighbouring Parish of Barnt Green. The Stocken crosses the dam at the bottom of Cofton Lake reservoir and then proceeds via farming land to Cofton Church Lane affording excellent views of the local countryside. Housing on that part of Cofton Church Lane, from The Stocken to Barnt Green Road and on Barnt Green Road itself, is the National Trust land, Cofton Church Lane result of ribbon development between the wars when the frontages of existing roads were built up.

10 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 11 The roads, then only lanes, were widened to accommodate increased traffic to and from the Austin motor works. Before exiting Cofton Church Lane onto Barnt Green Road there is a mixture of housing on the left. Firstly, a large brick built late 1800s Vicarage set in its grounds as shown below, a 1960s replacement Vicarage, two white rendered 1930s houses and a mock Tudor, all detached. Lastly, on the junction, two old brick early 1900s school house, ex clinic, church hall, converted into semi- detached properties as shown.

The Old Vicarage and The Old School House, Cofton Church Lane

Following the development in the 1930s of the area between Groveley Lane and Cofton Reservoir, plans were in existence for similar development between the reservoir and Cofton Church Lane but these were interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1939 after only Reservoir Road and Cofton Lake Road had been laid out. Stricter planning control introduced in 1947 has so far prevented any extension of the built up area in this direction.

Barnt Green Road

Barnt Green Road has as its western boundary the Lickey Hills. In the 1880s there was a danger that the whole wooded area of the Lickey Hills, with its heathland and bilberries, becoming enclosed as private property and built up, but thanks to the generosity and foresightedness of certain philanthropic individuals, notably T Grosvenor Lee of the Association for the Preservation of Open Spaces, Lord Windsor, then head of The Plymouth family, and members of the Cadbury Family, the land was purchased and presented to Birmingham Corporation. In this way

12 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 13 The Quarry, Barnt Green Road

the whole wooded area of the Lickey Hills was preserved for ever as a public open space. Here you can also find the Barnt Green Road Quarry which was in use during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with the Lickey Quartzite Rock being collected. The rock was used as an aggregate due to its hard nature, and was mostly used as a road stone to surface and mend local roads. The Lickey Quartzite was also one of the materials used in the building of the reservoir dam. During WWII, the quarry was used as a barrage balloon mounting. The barrage balloon would have been used to protect a certain area against attack by aircraft. This barrage was used to protect the nearby Austin Aero works, which produced military vehicles, ammunition and aircraft, making it a major target for the German bombers. A similar balloon mounting was located on Cofton Church Lane opposite Cofton Hall entrance. Today the quarry is maintained by the Lickey Hills County Park Rangers. The section on the western side of Barnt Green Road, prior to the roundabout at the junction of Rose Hill and Groveley Lane, is also home to three local societies. These are the and Rednal Social Club, built in the 1920s; the Mission Hall, a former nonconformist ‘gospel mission hall’ also built in the 1920s and now used for martial arts classes; and the existing Cofton Hackett Village Hall, built in the late 1960s as a temporary measure but still active today. The Parish was promised a new Village Hall on the Cofton Fields development, part of the S106 agreement with St Modwen for the whole redevelopment of the former Austin- Rednal Social Club, Barnt Green Road Rover site, and is presently underway. There are also a few old cottages on the eastern side of Barnt Green Road, but the majority of the housing is ribbon development built between the wars. Opposite the village hall entrance, next to the roundabout, are two detached houses built in the early 2000s and a third completed in 2018. —roger westbury

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3. Groveley Lane from the Junction of Ten Ashes

All housing is on the southern side of the road opposite . Two early seventeenth century timber framed cottages with brick infill, now rendered, are on Groveley Lane facing Ten Ashes Lane on a service road. These semis were part of the Earl of Plymouth’s Estate known on separate occasions as Dog Kennel Inn and Ten Ashes Farm. These form an attractive sight as you reach the top of Groveley Lane and from this point there are significant views of Cofton Park and the Lickey Hills. To the side of the cottages facing Groveley Lane is a small triangular piece of public land which is planted with well-established trees.

Heading down Groveley Lane the first road Groveley Lane beyond Chestnut Drive junction is Private Way which contains semi- detached houses and one detached property.

16 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 17 These were built in the late 1930s and form a major part of the housing stock in the following roads: Groveley Lane from Ten Ashes to the junction of Parsonage Drive, Ashmead Drive leading to Ashmead Rise, Chestnut Drive, Middle Drive, Oakfield Drive and The Grove

The Porritt estate comprises an attractive mixture of semi-detached and detached properties all having both front and rear gardens and an external style unique in this area. Another feature is that the verges, which are well kept, are prevalent throughout most of the estate.

At the junction of Groveley Lane and Parsonage Drive is a large triangular traffic island planted with small ornamental trees.

On the corner of Groveley Lane and Parsonage is a row of 1930s commercial shops, containing three takeaway restaurants and a Convenience Store. A Post Office was closed in 2018.

Parsonage Drive has mixed housing stock – to the left of the road is a row of terraced houses which were built probably in the early 1930s.

The houses to the right of Parsonage Drive are a mixture of one new house and 1930s semis.

In the corner of Parsonage and Oakfield is the entrance to the new St Modwen Development.

Oakfield Drive is a residential road made up of houses built by Porritt in the late 1930s with a few later The Myhill Field additions built in the 1950s. The houses in Oakfield Drive are a mixture of terrace, semi-detached and detached properties. When travelling along the Stocken from Chestnut Drive to the left is the entrance to the parish allotments. This area is known as The Myhill Field, named after a long-standing Cofton Hackett vicar. The Grove is made up of Porritt semi-detached houses built in the 1930s. The land was donated to the parish in 1980 by the previous smallholder, Mr Hyde, with covenants Middle Drive is made of mainly Porritt Houses with two sets of semi-detached properties that were in place for the specific use of a children’s play area and allotments. Beyond the allotments is the built in the 1950s. overflow pool from Cofton Lake.

Chestnut Drive is a mixture of both semi-detached and detached Porritt properties. At the junction of Oakfield, Chestnut and Ashmead Drive is the ash path known locally as the Stocken.

Oakfield Drive, left into Stocken Cofton Lake

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G r o v The Stocken, views over fields e le y L an e To the right of the Stocken is Cofton Lake which is bounded on three sides by Ashmead Drive, C o Ashmead Rise, Barnt Green Road and Reservoir Road. tt ag e (18 There is a significant boundary of woodland between the houses and the lake owned by local residents 53 ), o and a fishing club. rigin ally a cafe The Stocken then rises up to a view point providing unspoilt views of the Lickey Hills to the West and Upper Bittell Lake to the East with attractive farmland between.

This area is of paramount importance as it provides a buffer between the Lickey Hills and the built environment of Cofton Hackett and beyond. The loss of this buffer would significantly degrade views both of the Lickey Hills and from the Lickey Hills, which are currently enjoyed by both residents of . Groveley Lane Worcestershire and Birmingham and other visitors to the Lickey Hills Country Park totalling over 4 500,000 visitors a year. rednal Island to Ten Ashes Lane Ashmead Drive is a mixture of detached and semi-detached houses and bungalows incorporating the somewhat larger house built by Porritt for himself. At the end of Ashmead Drive is Ashmead Rise.

Ashmead Rise is a development of semi-detached and detached houses and two bungalows built in the 1960s. The land was once the large garden and orchard of a house built in 1926 which still stands at the top of Ashmead Rise. Continuing east along the footpath by The Oak Tree /restaurant, leading from Lickey Road to Groveley Lane, is a row of cottages on the left in a cul-de-sac and a dead end lane. —charles hooper and garry turland In the cul-de-sac there is a small black and white cottage dated 1853 – an ex-cafe and a local plumber’s. Opposite, next to The Oak Tree Pub, is a stunning mature copper beech tree on a grass verge. Next is a long black and white cottage called ‘Nowhere’ at the beginning of the lane. Further up the lane next to Cofton Park on the left side of the slope is a small brick built late seventeenth century white rendered cottage covered in ivy. Opposite the white cottage is a modernised brick built old cottage facing south next to the Ashmead Rise ‘Nowhere’ Cottage, Groveley Lane road.

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On the right hand side of Groveley Lane are two semi-detached 1920s white rendered houses. Beside the right hand house is a sunken wooded area which is populated by wildlife of various different species.

W a lk e r a n d G eo r ge V I P il Left: Semi-detached 1920s houses right: 1940/50s in service road off Groveley Lane lar Bo x, T en A shes Lane Further up the hill on a service road, old Groveley Lane, is a mixture of properties some of which are modified 1950s houses. At the junction of Groveley Lane and Ten Ashes Lane is a large imposing rendered ‘Arts and Crafts’ house overlooking the Lickey Hills. 5. Ten Ashes Lane

Ten Ashes Lane was originally known as Kennel Lane where the Earl of Plymouth’s hunting dogs were housed. Travelling from Rednal Island this road is accessed on the right from the summit of Groveley Lane. ‘Arts and Crafts’ house and 17th Century Cottages, Groveley Lane Turning into this steep road immediately left is a service road which was previously the original Groveley Lane. At the entrance/exit of the service Approaching the summit gives a view of trees on the junction of Ten Ashes Lane with two seventeenth road is a George VI pillar box. century cottages behind. Behind the pillar box is a new 2017 build. Opposite —keith and elisabeth duncan the service road is another service road, also a continuation of the old Groveley Lane. Proceeding down the hill is housing stock ranging from approximately the 1930s to 1970s flanking both sides. Included amongst these on the right is what is thought to be one of the older Ten Ashes Lane houses ‘Arrowbank’.

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C ofto ‘Arrowbank’, Ten Ashes Lane n Fie lds Estate

Lickey Coppice. Before a shorter but still steep approach from Ten Ashes Lane junction on Barnt Green Road, turning right, is the 1960s Lickey Coppice estate comprising of linked bungalows and detached housing. 6. The Cofton Fields estate

Cofton Fields Estate is a new estate built on the site of the old Longbridge East Works on the northern linked bungalows and detached houses, Lickey Coppice edge of the village. Currently it incorporates about 300 houses At the end of the road and again turning right is similar but semi detached housing in a cul-de-sac. developed initially by Houses are fronted by a pleasant wide strip of grass planted with trees and shrubs designated as a Persimmon and Charles Village Green, maintained by residents. Church. More recent development on the —keith and elisabeth duncan site is being undertaken directly by St Modwen and houses are currently being built on the southern end of the site. Aero Park, The Cofton Fields Estate

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Cofton Fields Estate

v i There are further plans to build around 150 houses at the northern end of the site, where a new ew

community facility/village hall will also be situated. The estate includes mostly three and four bedroom of th detached and semi-detached homes and a mixture of social and private housing. It also includes a e L ic small park and play area by Aero Way, which is part of the estate’s water attenuation scheme. The site ke y H is bounded on the eastern edge by a railway line. The estate is likely to be completed by the autumn ills , Lick of 2020. ey Road —mike pattison 7. Lickey Road (B4120)

This is a main artery from Birmingham City Centre running south from Longbridge Island entering Cofton Hackett close to The Hare and Hounds public house continuing on to Rednal Island. Residential and light industrial units are a feature along this road. Lickey Road western side. Immediately after Cofton Hackett boundary is a 1960/70s large building incorporating GDI Beauty Salon and Fletcher’s Arcade. Next is a 1960/70s house set back from the road with a large warehouse type of building behind. Further on is a dilapidated wooden building known as ‘Kathy’s Shack’ most probably built in the 1940s used as a post office and more recently as a tea room. On the front on the pavement is a George VI red pillar box and traditional red telephone box, Kathy’s Shack, Lickey Road then a derelict piece of land.

26 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 27 Turning right, uphill facing the Lickey Hills. Adjoining and dwarfed by the motorcycle showroom is a tiny old rendered white brick building currently ‘Barnet Fair’. On the right hand side of the bridleway at the rear of ‘Kathy’s Shack’ is a small Victorian brick building which was originally the Rednal Post and Sorting Office. At the front of the cottage lies a rectangular Turning right up a steep driveway, adjoining Barnet Fair, are three south facing, probably ex-nailers’ piece of land continuing on from the corner which is used for storage. Part of this land was formerly cottages, nos. 488, 490 & 492. used by the local blacksmith up to the 1960s, demolished decades ago. They stayed in one ownership until 1956. The earliest entry in the Deeds of 488a Barnet Fair is 1980 Continuing on are two detached 1970/80s houses. but it may be the ‘premises’ mentioned in the Will.

old Rednal Post Sorting Office modernised old cottages ex-vehicle showrooms Barnet Fair

side of convenience store convenience store ex-nailers’ cottages late Victorian house

Turning around facing Lickey Road. Back on Lickey Road continuing south, these On the right is a large red brick extended gated cottage which may originally have been two or three brick built buildings are late 1900s, early 2000s. nailers’ cottages. To the right side is a high and long functional security wall, residence, gates and Progressing down the road are two, three, two and door belonging to a convenience store. single storey buildings used for small businesses Continuing south, is the frontage of the convenience store and adjoining is a three storey building behind which are two late 1800s brick built believed to be of brick but now rendered and painted dark green. cottages. Between the convenience store and a 1980s two-storey retail outlet building with accommodation, is There is a tyre bay in front of a late 1800s large a gated deep recess. imposing brick built house set on wooded hillside fronted with lawn and driveway. Set back into the hills is a large showroom, previously a motor vehicle sales, with an extensive frontage. As part of the site is a motorcycle showroom with a mobile telephone mast at rear. These Further down the road on the grass bank facing modern buildings are on the site where several attractive brick buildings, mostly nailers’ cottages of Rednal Island is a circular seat surrounding a new the 1800/1900s were situated. Believed to have been demolished in the 1960/70s, amongst these was oak tree, two seats back to back, a flag pole with fir, an antique shop and tea room fronted by weighing scales in the garden behind what is now Hopwood ash and oak trees. Behind seats is a public footpath Vets. The most notable was the ‘The Barracks Inn’ a large attractive brick building with an ornate adjacent to a stone wall, hedge and Lickey woods. At Rednal Island, Lickey Road veranda, approximate date 1800/early 1900s. the base of the bank is a large established lime tree.

28 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 29 Rednal Island dividing Lickey Road, Groveley Lane, Barnt Green Road and Rose Hill is packed with large established shrubs. The Oak Tree Pub/Restaurant and large mature oak tree is situated at the junction of Lickey Road and Groveley Lane. This has always been a landmark for locals and newcomers alike and is a unique timber character building. (Locally and affectionately is still well known as ‘The Chalet’ and in the 1960s there used to be a steak bar downstairs and 1970s disco upstairs). The date of the building may well be 1920/30s. Customers seated at tables outside overlook a panoramic west view of the Lickey Hills and part of Rose Hill. The Oak Tree Pub Adjoining The Oak Tree Pub there is a large car park with a European white silver birch on the roadside verge and a weeping silver birch. Walking north along Lickey Road is a mixed hawthorn and holly hedge on the edge of the footpath continuing on beyond the car park exit. There is an enclosed secured piece of derelict land surrounded by trees, believed to be owned by . Immediately adjoining this is another derelict strip of land with two sets of gates which is used for part storage possibly owned by the landlord of the showrooms hedge heading north opposite. On the grass verge is a mature Turkey Oak tree and opposite the motorcycle showroom is a mature Sycamore tree. Continuing on is a large valued grassed area with a central circular group of trees. Next to the now disused tram terminus was a well nurtured formal garden which was a delightful welcome to Cofton Hackett and the Lickey Hills during the early part of the twentieth century.

—keith and elisabeth duncan old formal gardens

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B i lb e r ry H i ll Te a Ro om s, R ose Hil l (c. 1908)

8. Rose Hill

The Centre, Rose Hill

Following on from Rednal island and turning right up Rose Hill to the Cofton Hackett Boundary. Firstly, past the grass bank on either one of the two public foot paths surrounding the bank, on the right is Rednal Hill. A little further on are two fenced off disused quarries fronted by two parish council seats and a planter. The Parish Council boundary is nearby. Crossing the road, facing and nearer Rednal island, is a large imposing early 1900s rendered building of importance, which was called and still locally known as, The Bilberry Tea Rooms. The tea rooms were frequented by thousands of visitors travelling on trams to ‘The Lickeys’. This building at the bottom of Bilberry Hill currently known as The Bilberry Hill Centre is now the head office for The Birmingham Federation of Clubs for Young People. path up to Rednal Hill Both Rednal Hill and Bilberry Hill are part of the much from Rose Hill valued Lickey Hills. seats by the quarry, Rose Hill —keith and elisabeth duncan

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D r ov er s W ay , o ff E ach way Lane spur

9. eachway Lane (spur)

The lane is on the boundary of the Lickey Hills Country Park. This comprises a winding, narrow lane – a spur from the more suburban and public road that is Eachway Lane, through woodland on the Lickey Hills. The driveway is flanked by two modern brick pillars and the top of the drive opens onto three modern houses and gardens. Intersecting with the drive is a footpath, ‘Drovers Way’ which originates from the country park Visitor’s Centre on Warren Lane, which heads south west into the woods. There are mature cypress and other trees around the houses, possibly planted in the grounds of the house which once occupied the site. pillars to small development, Eachway Lane (spur) —mike pattison

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W W I P r iv at es ’ M es s R oom , Wa rren Lane

10. Warren Lane

This lane is off Rose Hill and situated in the Lickey Hills Country Park. Just inside the parish boundary, on the western edge of the parish, is a recently closed large modern care home, on the site of the original Jervis Fair and York Jones Cafe, which is accessed down a drive to the north of Warren Lane. Two joined two-storey cottages, one marked Bilbery Cottage (and possibly Victorian), are positioned to the east of the drive. The ‘Drovers Way’ bridleway runs north from Warren Lane, opposite the Country Park Visitors Centre, alongside the care home towards Rose Hill. Opposite the entrance to the care home, on WWI Sergeants’ Mess the south side of Warren Lane, is a bungalow surrounded by mature woodland.

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Immediately above the bungalow, as the lane rises towards the country park car park, there are two small single-storey brick-built First World War buildings of historic significance, see previous page. The larger of these was the Privates’ Mess and the smaller was the Sergeants’ Mess. Across the lane from these is an entrance to a small quarry which includes a large concrete structure on the eastern edge. This was a gun proving range in the First World War for 4.5” Howizer Gun Barrels brought back from the front to be refurbished at the Austin Works and is of great historical significance. WWI Gun Proving Range

G r ee n Be lt, Ken dal End Road

11. Kendal End Road

Lickey Hills Country Park Visitor Centre and play area & Kendal Drive

Lickey Hills Visitor Centre Beyond the WWI huts is a brick built, single storey visitors’ centre. Built in 1990, it includes a café, public toilets, a souvenir shop and an information area with descriptions of and the much valued fauna and flora of the area. The centre opens onto an area with picnic benches affording a view of the children’s play area – a popular public amenity including climbing frames, swings and Kendal End Road is a busy secondary road which links Cofton Hackett with the neighbouring village roundabouts. The park has over 250,000 visitors each year! of Barnt Green. In recent times, two traditional events have been Immediately north of the village railway bridge there reintroduced to the park – courtesy of The Lickey Hills is a field on the right hand side. On the Bromsgrove Society (www.lhs.org.uk) and the park rangers. The District Council SHLAA maps (BDC105) this is shown first, held each January in the Community Orchard, to be in Barnt Green. However the field is in Cofton is of pagan origin and called a ‘Wassail’ when much Hackett and is Green Belt. If this were to be built noise is made to scare off evil spirits thus ensuring a on it would effectively remove the corridor between bountiful harvest of fruit. Mulled apple drink, song Cofton Hackett and Barnt Green. and a Mummers Play is also enjoyed. Just above the southern parish boundary there is The second, held in July, is the ‘Bilberry Wake’. a row mostly two storey 1920s or 1930s houses on Horses were originally raced accompanied with the eastern side of the road. Two detached houses hearty drinking. Today, hobby horses are made by nearest the parish boundary may be earlier and have children and raced around an obstacle course. distinctive frontages. Immediately beyond these, Wassail 2019 and before the main row of twelve houses, there is Green Belt, Kendal End Road —mike pattison a ‘locally significant watercourse’ running due east.

38 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 39 Kendal Drive intersects with Kendal End Road half-way along this row of houses. This is a narrow, short lane which has five bungalows on its northern edge. These have been altered over the years but are probably mid-twentieth century. The southern and eastern edges of the lane features some mature trees. To the south there are privately owned fields beyond used for grazing horses with farmland to the east. On Kendal End Road, almost opposite Kendal Drive, is a distinctive two storey detached house. This adjoins farmland which lies immediately beneath the Lickey Hills, Kendal End Farm, and lies beyond the western hedgerow for the length of Kendal End Road to Cofton Church Lane. Beyond the row of houses there is a large field bounded by a distinctive planted hedgerow. Immediately beyond this is The Mount, a large distinctive house (possibly Arts and Crafts) in mature grounds with outbuildings.

The Mount, Kendal End Road

Again, beyond this is a field, bounded by a distinctive planted hedgerow, in which is situated a wooden stables. Both the western and eastern boundaries of Kendal End Road feature a distinctive planted hedgerow with distinctive rows of established trees. —mike pattison

Kendal End Road

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G r ov ele y L an e In dust rial Estate

12. Groveley Lane industrial Estate

The Groveley Lane Industrial Estate runs as a spur off Groveley Lane to the north west of the railway line. There are four companies housed on the estate, each of them occupying large light industrial buildings. At the end of the lane, behind the last of the buildings, is an extensive secure car park. Most of the development here is modern (twentieth century), although to the east there is a narrow strip of woodland which forms the boundary with Cofton Common, and to the west is an established hedgerow with trees which forms the boundary with the railway line below. To the east lies common land and farmland. Groveley Lane Industrial Estate buildings —mike pattison

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Co fton Common

13. Cofton Common

This is a large area of common land and farmland on the boundary with Birmingham to the north and Hopwood to the east. Its features include: 1) Extensive views south from at least three separate rises. One of these is marked by a trig point – see pic 2) Three important routeways. Two well-used waymarked footpaths from: a) Cofton Church Lane to Hopwood b) the North Worcestershire Way to Hopwood c) the North Worcestershire Way itself (which skirts the southern edge of the common Cofton Common (point 1) – see map opposite)

44 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 45 3) An archaeological feature (see map) described on the OS as a ‘Moat’ which is rumoured to be the footprint of either a medieval moated manor or a small medieval moated village. The dips of the moat are very visible and the trig point lies within this feature 4) Much of the southern end of the common is farmland, crossed by waymarked footpaths, but the northern edge has three areas which have a distinctive open Cofton Common (point 4) character with wide views sweeping south see photo Cofton Common – see pic 5) Across the common there are distinctive hedgerows, distinctive lines of trees and small distinctive areas of woodland – see pic 6) A distinctive area of woodland known as The Grove (named on the OS map) after which Groveley Lane was named. Cofton Hackett Parish Council are currently applying for a Tree Preservation Order on Cofton Common (point 5) The Grove. —mike pattison

46 Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | January 2019 January 2019 | l&b and ch neighbourhood development plan | Cofton Hackett Character Appraisal 47 As the Birmingham conurbation ever expands, the potential of losing village and settlement identity weakens as the boundaries reduce or disappear. This Character Appraisal is a ‘snapshot’ which may quickly become a memory. The importance of our joint Neighbourhood Development Plan with Lickey and Blackwell Parish cannot be overstated as encroachment, and its possible impact on our community, can be envisaged from all directions. One of our younger residents was so moved with what might be, he put pen to paper…

As a millennial, resident of Cofton Hackett and one who has grown up here I have developed a great attachment to this Parish. As a result of this I contacted a Parish Councillor who is responsible for planning applications in the area because of my concerns about housing developments that I fear may happen on green field sites in Cofton Hackett. Cofton Hackett has been a wonderful place for me to grow up and I would like to think that it will remain so. Runners and walkers value the fields around the North Worcestershire path. T he pleasant environment, the quiet, the tranquillity will all be lost if current housing requirement is put onto Cofton. T he green space that most residents, new and old, acknowledge as Cofton could be gone and with it the character of the place. Not only is the area important to us but it also benefits many species of plants and animals. Migratory bird species inhabit Cofton during the summer months. Populations of swifts, house martins and swallows nest in many of the existing houses and the importance of the surrounding fields cannot be exaggerated as they use these to feed. T he loss of these would have an impact on species already in decline. Green spaces are important everywhere whether they are valuable wildlife habitats or not. More houses being built in Cofton will result in more cars and increased road traffic which will contribute to increasing amounts of air pollution. T his is a concern of many local authorities especially as some are already breaching legal limits on air pollution. In the future I am sure many people living here would like to see the environment of Cofton Hackett being maintained. Resources should be used to resurface the Stocken path as rainy weather results in deep surface water and parts of it impassable. T he increasing number of community events that I have seen take place across Cofton does bring the community together. However, if the village expands too much I worry that the sense of community will be lost. T he very reason why new residents would wish to move into housing on the old East Works site is surely because of the wonderful surroundings that are the fields that I hope will not be put under threat. Developments should be limited in size because of their impact on an area. At what point does the expansion stop? —Charlie Birrell

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